Sixers open camp with Andrew Bynum on the sideline

One of the new Sixers, ex-Clipper Nick Young, saves a ball from leaving play. The team saved just five players from last year's squad for the current 18-man roster. (CHARLES FOX / Staff photographer)

By John N. Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: October 03, 2012

Andrew Bynum, the 76ers' new center, spent his first day at training camp Tuesday splitting time among the weight room, an elliptical machine, and stretching.

But even before Bynum's new teammates scrimmaged at St. Joseph's Hagan Arena, coach Doug Collins began the process of incorporating the 7-foot, 285-pound player into his team.

Collins and his coaches taught offensive and defensive principles for the better part of two hours to the myriad new faces and five holdovers from last season's team. It was as if Bynum, who will not participate in training camp for the next three weeks to allow his knees to rest, were in the mix from Day 1.

"Without Andrew practicing with us, we are going to try to simulate all the things we are going to do with him," Collins said.

Bynum, a former Los Angeles Lakers star acquired in an August trade, was present during the skull sessions before the scrimmage and was very much a part of what was being taught.

"Anytime we threw the ball into the post, I asked him, 'Is this where you want your guys to be? How do you like them cutting?' " Collins said. "Even if somebody else is out there, we want to continue to play like that so we get into a habit of doing it. We don't want to play an exhibition one way and then try to change, because that would be too much for our guys. Every minute is precious."

It was not an easy adjustment.

"It's not frustrating, but it does complicate things," forward Thaddeus Young said. "Bynum is a big part of our offense and what we're trying to do, so we have to simulate a lot of stuff that we're going to do. It is very hard to prepare because he's not out there on the court for us to figure out how we're going to play around him."

Young is one of the Sixers Collins will be looking to for leadership. Collins said that last season's team, which included Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, and Lou Williams - all since departed, did not have any truly strong leaders.

This season, Collins wants the team's veterans to help the new players understand the culture. He is looking for leadership from the returning players, especially from Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner.

"There are a lot of new faces," said Holiday, who is beginning his fourth season with the Sixers. "Since I'm one of the five that's still here, out of all of us I have to step up and speak up. The point guard is supposed to do that anyway."

Turner, entering his third season, also spoke of the increased need for him to lead.

"The most important thing is guys are looking for us to lead," Turner said. "There are a lot of guys here looking for direction. We've got some ears that are ready to listen, so it's way different."

Asked how he made the adjustment to not having Bynum on the floor with him, Turner joked about the situation.

"I mean, it's the same as my first two years," he said, laughing. "I never had him out there before. But good things come to those who wait. Three more weeks, right? We don't want to rush him back and mess him up more."

Sixers hire scout. The Sixers announced that Jordan Cohn has been named pro personnel scout. Cohn previously worked in scouting for the Knicks and Nets. General manager Tony DiLeo said he expects to make another scouting hire soon. . . . Forward Lavoy Allen missed the morning session for personal reasons. He was at the evening session.